Re: The end for HD DVD?

Well Drewj you would like a "legitiment argument". Well it looked like your biggest complaint was that you don't have both a standard def and a HD version on Blu-ray, And you said that HD DVD players are out selling Blu-ray players. On the second note, I don't know where you get your information but HD DVD players are not out selling Blu-ray. Most of the time you SAW those claims they had the little tag "stand alone players" added to their statement. Blu-ray is and has been selling more players for quite some time, the PS3 can't be ignored as a legitimate player in peoples homes. Plus Blu-ray discs are and have been out selling HD DVD around 2 to 1. As far as flexability, I hate to think what you said when DVD was replacing VHS. But to chear you up a little (hopefully) JVC has developed a three layer technology that allows putting both standard-definition DVD data and HD data on a BD/DVD combo. You have to look at the big picture, you said sony had made the market to believe that they have a better quality format. Well I won't argue with you, on that point you are correct, it is better. Though they both show a full HD picture the capacity between them and thus the potential of them is a big difference, currently we are talking about a difference between 30GB HD DVD and 50GB Blu-ray, oh wait you probably wanted to mention that HD DVD has 51GB disc in the making, well Blu-ray has up to 250GB disc capability. So don't be too sad when HD DVD goes under.

Yay! Now I can look forward to even more high priced disks with LESS than I get on the standard DVD version! Why please the consumer when you can do whatever you want with your format?

I'm new to this forum but have been reading with great interest since the WB announcement.
What's with all this bitterness about Warner's decision to go Blu exclusive ? Everyone who bought into HD (HD-DVD or Blu-Ray) this early knew that it was a risk picking one side over another. I picked Blu-Ray mainly because of studio support, primarily Disney's support. In the big scheme of things, HD-DVD and Blu-Ray are pretty close in quality. Either side can end up with a better encode on one title over another.

I didn't see anyone complaining that there was only one DVD format being forced down our throat. Did you want competing formats on that front too ?

It makes no sense to have two competing formats. This only causes people to wait for a "winner". In the meantime, prices are high due to low demand and nobody wins.

Warner Brothers picked a side. So did Paramount. So did Disney. And so did Fox. Whether they got "paid off" or not is almost moot. It comes down to a business decision in the long run. Bribe money will only last so long if you ended up picking the "wrong" side. Either Paramount or Warner will be sorry. If you ask me, it'll be Paramount. I think the writing is on the wall for HD-DVD - like it or not.

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[Post edited by PStahl on Jan 5, 2008 - CST 6:43 PM]

Now, I have a unique vantage in that I have both. I covered my bases because I have a PS3, but I bought an HD-DVD player because the A-35 was so cheap for a plethora of features. The money wasn't a big issue, and besides I don't generally buy movies, I rent them through an online service. In fact, I don't really understand buying movies in any format, short of the very few that are either unavailable to rent or so well loved that you MUST have it on hand.

Now, eventually, if this is truly the end of this epic conflict, I'm going to want to but a stand alone BR player with good features for a decent price. Apparantly, right now, there are none. Every player I see with equivalent features to the A-35 is ridiculously priced. Can anyone reccomend one? Or is it a matter of wait and see?

Next, is it actually true that while BR discs can theoretically be formated to hold 50gb worth of data vs. HD-DVD's 30, most BR films are on the 25gb disc?

Is it true that the software that runs the BR discs somehow faulty? I keep hearing about Java...

Lastly, on the one or two movies that I have seen on both BR and HDDVD, it SEEMED to me that the HDDVD version was slightly sharper. Is there any basis for this impression?

Whoever basically said that all of us who took the plunge before a clear winner emerged, knew the risk and there really is no sense in getting so upset about it. I suppose those of us who waited until hd units were very reasonable priced don't really care too much either. I would bet had hd-dvd or blu-ray had dropped their prices to sub $200 a year ago this would have already been completely over in favor of the first to really offer low price. This thing was starting to lean toward hd as the cost became attractive. One little thing that I guess always bugged me tho'- I have seen how the blu-ray supporters always use the argument that the higher capacity disc as this great thing, but I'll let you in on a little secret. Nobody over 10 people really ever gaves a rats-butt about that. If I can see a movie in high-def why would I care about how much data the disc can hold. Hey, my computer can hold 500gs, hey mine can hold 100gs? Wowee!! I honestly haven't seen anyone out there burning anything with blank blu-ray or hd yet. By the time their affordable for people to care, something better will be along. I guess I must give Sony credit with putting blu into PS3. Had Microsoft done the same with all 360's when they first came out, nobody would even know what a blu-ray player was (most people still dont).

Quote:
why would I care about how much data the disc can hold

Two words" "Bit Rate".
The more space you have on a disc the higher the bit rate you can use.
The higher the bit rate, the lower the compression required which leads to prettier pictures.
More space = more gooder.

more space- prettier picture....

OK....Sounds good, when are they gonna start offering the prettier picture and I'll run out and re-mortgage the house to buy a blu-ray.
......problem is I honestly have yet to see a better picture than hd-dvd has offered.
I was unimpressed with a friends ps3 and anothers brd player (yes all the best cables, good hd tv, all the right settings), if thats what more space and higher bit rate can do, Ill stick to a up-converted over blu-ray. There ain't much diff (in my humble opinion). According to all the comments and posts Ive read, I don't think I'm alone in this opinion.